Are you looking for shows to add to your musical theater bucket
list? Below is a
list of my favorite Broadway musicals of all time. Not all of these
shows are currently playing on Broadway, but hopefully they will
make their way back to Broadway some day soon.

As a member of the press, Jen often receives complimentary tickets
to theater productions.

Note: If the text is green, click it to read Jen's review.

Jen’s List of Bucket-List-Worthy Musicals
Les MiserablesA musical look at the troubles of some people in Paris.
Sounds boring, but isn’t. Almost ever word is sung rather
than spoken, and the music (with songs like "One Day More,"
"On My Own," and "Who Am I?") is epic!

Come From Away
An incredibly-touching and surprisingly-funny musical about
people who stepped up to help stranded travelers after the
tragedy of 9/11/2001.

Dear Evan Hansen
"Waving Through a Window" and "Only Us" are
some of my favorite
songs ever! Dear Evan Hansen makes those of us who
feel unheard feel a little less alone.

Hadestown
A hauntingly-beautiful love story.

The Lion King
A lion grows from cub to king. I'm amazed by the creative,
beautiful way that the animal characters can be portrayed by actors and
puppeteers. The opening
number, "Circle of Life," makes my heart swell.

Miss Saigon
A woman who has lost everything is forced to sell herself. A
tragic story, but the music is beautiful. "The Last Night of
the World," "I
Still Believe," and "Bui-Doi" are heart-wrenching.

The Phantom of the Opera
A disfigured man haunts a theater. Eerie songs, like "Music
of the Night" and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again."
Watching this show in a beautiful Broadway theater makes the story feel
real!

Wicked
Set before and during the Wizard of Oz story, this
show offers up a possible back-story for some of the characters. In
Wicked, Dorothy is not the star; she only sort-of
makes an appearance. It’s interesting to get some “insight” into why
the Wizard of Oz characters are how they are. Great songs,
like "Popular," "Defying Gravity," and "For Good."

Into the Woods
A retelling of children’s stories in a
not-so-appropriate-for-children way. Inventive songs,
like "Into the Woods" and "Your Fault."
Fun story with an important message.

Secret Garden
An angry, orphaned little girl transforms herself and all
those around her when she discovers a magical garden.
Surprisingly funny. Beautiful songs, like "I Heard Someone
Crying" and "Lily's Eyes."

Jekyll and Hyde
The story of Jekyll and Hyde certainly doesn’t sound like
musical-theater-material, but this turns out to be a great,
but dark, show. The numbers "This Is The Moment" and "A New
Life" are showstoppers.

Billy Elliot the Musical
Little boy who lives in a place where little boys are
supposed to grow up to be coal miners, discovers his
exceptional talent as a ballet dancer. The triple-threat
talent of the boys who play Billy is impressive. The story
is endearing. The songs, like "The Letter" and
"Electricity," are touching.

School of RockAdorable kids become a rock band with music by Andrew
Lloyd Webber!

Rent
Young people living in NYC struggle with life and death. Not
a feel-good musical, but the music is great, with songs like
"Seasons of Love" and "Light My Candle."

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
A young man whose brothers try to kill him becomes a
celebrated hero. Despite the fratricide attempt, it
turns out to be a good time! Funny songs, like "One More
Angel In Heaven" and "Those Canaan Days."

Catch Me if You Can
A teen becomes a world class con artist. It’s a fun time,
starting with the opening number, "Live in Living Color."

Sister Act
A woman in the witness protection program (who has a
larger-than-life personality)
is hidden in a convent where she must pretend to be a nun. A
fun musical. I walked out of the theater with "Raise Your
Voice" stuck in my head!

Annie
A little girl uses her strong spirit to inspire
others. The show is fun and uplifting. I love when the orphans sing "You're Never Fully
Dressed Without a Smile."

Beauty and the Beast
A young woman who is "different" finds her place in the
world and meets her true love. This musical theater version
of the 1991 Disney movie by the same name has some excellent songs that are not in the movie,
like "Home" and "If I Can't Love Her." The Beast's transformation at the end of the show is magical!